US Military Intelligence Agencies Block Biden Transition Team's Access to Information

WP Denies Request for Contact Approval with US Department of Defense Transition Team
DoD States It Is Taking Necessary Measures Only

[Asia Economy International Department Reporter] Claims have been raised that the Biden transition team's access to military intelligence agencies has been blocked.

The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 5th (local time), citing current and former officials, that the U.S. Department of Defense rejected the transition team's request for contact approval with military intelligence agencies this week.

According to the report, although the General Services Administration (GSA) opened the way for federal agencies to contact next administration officials at the end of last month, the Department of Defense refused approval for contact with the leadership of military intelligence agencies under the Department of Defense, such as the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), this week.

Current and former officials pointed out that this undermined the transition team's ability to obtain up-to-date information on U.S. adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran.

WP reported that this delay in contact came as the transition team was actively engaging with intelligence agencies unrelated to the Department of Defense, such as the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), this week.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

In response, Department of Defense officials explained that military intelligence agencies are taking the necessary steps to allow access to external parties.

DoD spokesperson Sue Gough said the transition team was "not denied any access" and that requested meetings could take place as early as next week.

An anonymous Department of Defense official said that transition team members were told they needed to submit a formal request to the Department of Defense because they had inappropriately contacted the agencies 'directly' while trying to prepare meetings and briefings with military intelligence agencies.

U.S. military intelligence agencies possess vast intelligence surveillance assets, including a satellite network encircling the globe, supported by billions of dollars in budget.

In particular, WP reported that the NSA's eavesdropping capabilities are a critical source of intelligence activities against various threats such as weapons proliferation and foreign interference in U.S. elections.

Department of Defense officials said that the access denial to the transition team this week appeared to be a minor procedural barrier on the surface.

However, one source said the Department of Defense repeatedly requested the transition team to provide the initial list of attendees, topic lists, and estimated allocated time for such contacts.

Another official pointed out, "If the Department of Defense had a cooperative atmosphere, this would not have happened."

After predictions of his election defeat, President Trump dismissed Secretary of Defense Mark Esper at the end of last month and appointed Christopher Miller as acting secretary. Subsequently, senior Department of Defense officials were replaced one after another with Trump loyalists, including the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

Spokesperson Gough stated in a statement sent to WP that Ezra Cohen-Watnick, who succeeded the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence position, is playing a key role in transition-related matters.

The first video meeting between the Department of Defense transition task force and the transition team was held on the 25th of last month. Since then, Department of Defense officials said administrative measures such as providing access badges to the transition team have been taken.